Author

Robert Shearon

On (new-to-me) motorcycles and a bit of Black history

A few months ago I bought a used motorcycle, a 2009 Honda Shadow Spirit.

My reasoning for purchase may be a little suspect, but here it is: My other bike, a 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 900, had been in the shop for more than three months. The shop manager said there was no projected date when the bike might be repaired.

Obviously, to me at any rate, I had to get another bike to ride in the meantime. Vickie noted that I had the money for it, so I began shopping. I looked at a lot of raggedy bikes, all of which had been modified by the owners. I don’t mind cosmetic changes but all of these had the mufflers modified to make more noise. I am not a believer in the “loud pipes save lives” nonsense.

Then I visited with a couple in Hot Springs who had a pristine Honda Shadow with no modifications other than an added windshield and saddlebags. Less than 7,000 miles on it, and it looked showroom fresh. Rode it home and enjoyed the trip immensely.

I’m not sure if my good wife realized that buying a bike is just the start of the expense. To save money, I went by the shop that had my other bike and took some of the accessories off, mainly a roll bag and telephone holder. I also took the phone charger.

For Christmas, I got an engine guard as a gift from my wife. I might point out here, she is somewhat amazing.

With the engine guard in place, I bought some highway pegs to install on it. I also bought a throttle boss, which helps hold the throttle open on longer rides.

The only big purchase left is a luggage rack. Once that is in place, I won’t HAVE to get any more accessories.

That’s when we get to some stuff I don’t need. Like a tachometer. I absolutely don’t need one. But watching the needle sweep to the right when you lay on the gas is exciting. Maybe I also would enjoy a handlebar-mounted clock.

It is fun accessorizing. A couple of bikes ago, I had a Honda Goldwing. There was simply nothing to add. It took some of the fun out of owning it.

Now I just need to order up some nice weather and get some miles in.

****

In honor of Black History Month, I will conclude my columns in February with the “Sarah Sanders Black History Moment.” Hopefully, the moments will contain a few things this less-than-progressive governor doesn’t want you to know.

For the inaugural installment, we’ll look at some of the more famous black Americans with an Arkansas connection:

Composer Florence Price
Mifflin Wistar Gibbs, the first elected African-American municipal judge in the United States
Boxer Sonny Liston
Singer William Warfield. I heard him perform live in Helena. Amazing voice.
Civil rights pioneer and newspaper publisher, Daisy Bates.
Lawyer, prosecutor and civil-rights leader Olly Neal.
Writer and political activist Eldridge Cleaver
Singer and guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou
Lawman Bass Reeves

This is just a small sampling of the amazing black Americans from Arkansas. Next time, we will look at a significant black history event.

Robert Shearon spent 30 years in journalism, working as a reporter, editor or publisher at newspapers in Arkansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. His e-mail address: robertshearon@sbcglobal.net

February 6, 2023

Blog ROBERT SHEARON

A fabulous time in St. Louis; attack of the flesh-eating fish

written by Robert Shearon

My lovely bride Vickie Wyeth and I recently took a second honeymoon trip to St. Louis.

Seeing the musical “Six” at the Fabulous Fox Theatre was the focus of the trip. It was boffo.

Essentially, six women, representing Henry VIII’s wives, sang and danced for 80 minutes. It was visually stunning and the music was powerful. The production also had a lot of humor, for a story about six dead women.

The theater itself was worth the price of admission. It’s hard to describe the interior. A Wikipedia article variously described the interior as Siamese Byzantine or fashioned after Hindu mosques. It is a sight to see. “Opulent” is a good descriptor.

January 30, 2023

Blog ROBERT SHEARON

Entertainment in state can come from film or governor

written by Robert Shearon

My wife, Vickie, and I decided to watch “Tar” with Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong and other folks). My favorite Cate Blanchett movie to date is “Thor: Ragnarok.” After watching “Tar,” “Thor: Ragnarok” is still my favorite Cate Blanchett movie.

The movie ran well over two hours. We watched every second of it because I had to pay $6 to rent it.

Blanchett and Strong turned in great performances (in a dull movie). My favorite scene is when Blanchett body-tackled Strong.

After it was over, we laughed at our tenacity. Then we watched “Saturday Night Live,” which was much more entertaining.

****

I know everyone is just thrilled by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her move to ban critical race theory in classrooms and remove the use of the term “Latinx” from state documents. These are moves that are mostly theater because critical race theory is apparently not taught in any Arkansas public school.

January 22, 2023

Blog ROBERT SHEARON

Rough start to the New Year in 2023

written by Robert Shearon

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been eight years since I last wrote a newspaper column. (Editor’s note: Robert Shearon wrote one column for the Oh, Dougherty! blog in 2018.)

Like many journalists, I left the profession kicking and screaming, but I landed well in a state job where I worked for eight years before retiring.

I’ve decided to start writing again for 2023 with the assistance of my friend Michael Dougherty, who owns this blog site.

My 2023 started a little early, on Dec. 31, when my wonderful wife, Vickie Wyeth, and I had our church wedding (we’d had a civil ceremony in July due to some legal stuff). It was a beautiful event and it was great to spend time with family and friends on such a joyous occasion.

Three days later I was in the hospital — not quite at Death’s door, but maybe in his driveway. So, here are my observations on being in the hospital.

If you don’t have to be in a hospital, don’t. I needed it, unfortunately. The emergency room is a hellish place when you are in a lot of pain. Hours after arriving I was put in a room in the emergency area.

Hospitals are understaffed. I think the nurses and technicians did their best, but getting anyone’s attention was an iffy proposition. Except if you fall out of bed, landing face-first in an open-back gown. I tried to get up, and couldn’t. That was scary. My roommate in the semi-private room called the nurses and I swear every medical person on that floor came down to witness this old man laying flat on his face with his moneymaker on full display. Two burly guys hoisted me up and got me into the bed and told me not to try to get out of bed after that.

January 21, 2023

Blog

Goodbye, Stan Lee — and thanks for the memories

written by Robert Shearon

When I was seven years old, I took my allowance and bought a copy of Daredevil #6. The yellow-and-black-clad, blind superhero began my journey into the world of Marvel Comics, the brainchild of Stan Lee. Lee died Monday. He was 95.

After Daredevil #6, I quickly discovered Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men. I was hooked.

My next-door-neighbor, Amy Jones, who was two years my senior, discovered Marvel comics about the same time and we spent hours every week talking about our most recent comics and pretending to be superheroes.

Spiderman eventually became my favorite. As much fun as his superheroic exploits, were his personal problems. As a high school teenager, he had to worry about girls, money, grades, and transportation. When I got a little older, I could relate to all those struggles. That is what set Marvel apart from other comics. The characters all had complex — and complete — personal lives. You got to really know the characters.

Lee frequently addressed readers in comments at the back of the books. Back in the day, there also were letters to the editor. I loved reading what the other fans thought of their favorite characters.

When the first animated adventures of the Marvel characters debuted, I remember cheering with delight with Amy Jones as Iron Man, with jets ablaze, was the first of our beloved characters to grace the small screen. We watched it at Amy’s house because she had a color TV.

When the live-action movies started, I was beyond thrilled. I really wanted to watch them with my friend, Amy Jones. Alas, I lost contact with her at least 30 years ago. I can only hope she enjoys the movies as much as I do.

At some point, I changed from wanting to be a superhero to wanting to work at Marvel Comics. I thought that would be the ultimate career for a young, dreamy-eyed writer.

Somehow I never managed never to send a resume. I tried to do my own comic book a time or two, but I was hampered by my inability to draw anything beyond a stick figure.

Both of my children caught my enthusiasm for Marvel characters. We see as many of the movies together as we can, although we are spread across three states. A Marvel movie comes out each year during my birthday week and we make an effort to see it together. Great birthday present, Stan.

Eventually, I decided that since a comic book career was out, that I would just like to meet Stan Lee and shake the hand of the man who had added such delight to my childhood.

This seemed within reach as I went to a couple of comic book conventions with my daughter, Kate. Stan Lee attended a lot of conventions and I hoped to cross paths with him at one of those.

The clock ran out on that on Nov. 12. I will miss Stan Lee and the joyful influence he had on my life.

But, in a way, he lives on through his body of work.

A couple of years ago, I think it was at Christmas, my daughter told me she had gotten me a special gift at a comic book convention. She gave it to me early because she couldn’t wait to see my reaction.

It was a pristine copy of Daredevil #6.

Excelsior!

Robert Shearon, who had a 30-year career in newspapers, is now a social worker. He lives in Poteau, Okla.

November 15, 2018